Information
about all current DOS commands
APPEND(External)
APPEND ;
APPEND [d:]path[;][d:]path[...]
APPEND [/X:on|off][/path:on|off] [/E]
Displays or sets the search path for data files. DOS will
search the specified path(s) if the file is not found in the current path.
ASSIGN(External)
ASSIGN x=y [...] /sta
Redirects disk drive requests to a different drive.
ATTRIB(External)
ATTRIB [d:][path]filename [/S]
ATTRIB [+R|-R] [+A|-A] [+S|-S] [+H|-H] [d:][path]filename
[/S]
Sets or displays the read-only, archive, system, and hidden
attributes of a file or directory.
BACKUP(External)
BACKUP d:[path][filename] d:[/S][/M][/A][/F:(size)]
[/P][/D:date] [/T:time] [/L:[path]filename]
Makes a backup copy of one or more files. (In DOS Version 6,
this program is stored on the DOS supplemental disk.)
BREAK(Internal)
BREAK =on|off
Used from the DOS prompt or in a batch file or in the
CONFIG.SYS file to set (or display) whether or not DOS should check for a Ctrl
+ Break key combination.
BUFFERS(Internal)
BUFFERS=(number),(read-ahead number)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the number of disk
buffers (number) that will be available for use during data input. Also used to
set a value for the number of sectors to be read in advance (read-ahead) during
data input operations.
CALL(Internal)
CALL [d:][path]batchfilename [options]
Calls another batch file and then returns to current batch
file to continue.
CHCP(Internal)
CHCP (codepage)
Displays the current code page or changes the code page that
DOS will use.
CHDIR(Internal)
CHDIR (CD) [d:]path
CHDIR (CD)[..]
Displays working (current) directory and/or changes to a
different directory.
CHKDSK(External)
CHKDSK [d:][path][filename] [/F][/V]
Checks a disk and provides a file and memory status report.
CHOICE(Internal)
CHOICE [/C[:]keys] [/N][/S][/T[:]c,nn] [text]
Used to provide a prompt so that a user can make a choice
while a batch program is running.
CLS (Clear Screen)(Internal)
CLS
Clears (erases) the screen.
COMMAND(External)
COMMAND [d:][path] [device] [/P][/E:(size)] [/MSG][/Y [/C
(command)|/K (command)]
Starts a new version of the DOS command processor (the
program that loads the DOS Internal programs).
COMP(External)
COMP [d:][path][filename] [d:][path][filename] [/A][/C][/D][/L][/N:(number)]
Compares two groups of files to find information that does
not match. (See FC command).
COPY(Internal)
COPY [/Y|-Y] [/A][/B] [d:][path]filename [/A][/B]
[d:][path][filename] [/V]
or
COPY [/Y|-Y][/A][/B]
[d:][path]filename+[d:][path]filename[...][d:][path][filename] [/V]
Copies and appends files.
COUNTRY(Internal)
COUNTRY=country code,[code page][,][d:][filename]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to tell DOS to use
country-specific text conventions during processing.
CTTY(Internal)
CTTY (device)
Changes the standard I/O (Input/Output) device to an
auxiliary device.
DATE(Internal)
DATE mm-dd-yy
Displays and/or sets the system date.
DBLSPACE(External)
DBLSPACE / automount=drives
DBLSPACE /chkdsk [/F] [d:]
DBLSPACE /compress d: [/newdrive=host:] [/reserve=size] [/F]
DBLSPACE /create d: [/newdrive=host:] [/reserve=size]
[/size=size]
DBLSPACE /defragment [d:] ]/F]
DBLSPACE /delete d:
DBLSPACE /doubleguard=0|1
DBLSPACE /format d:
DBLSPACE [/info] [d:]
DBLSPACE /list
DBLSPACE /mount[=nnn] host: [/newdrive=d:]
DBLSPACE /ratio[=ratio] [d:] [/all]
DBLSPACE /size[=size] [/reserve=size] d:
DBLSPACE /uncompress d:
DBLSPACE /unmount [d:]
A program available with DOS 6.0 that allows you to compress
information on a disk.
DEBUG(External)
DEBUG [pathname] [parameters]
An MS-DOS utility used to test and edit programs.
DEFRAG(External)
DEFRAG [d:] [/F][/S[:]order] [/B][/skiphigh [/LCD|/BW|/GO]
[/H]
DEFRAG [d:] [/V][/B][/skiphigh] [/LCD]|/BW|/GO] [/H]
Optimizes disk performance by reorganizing the files on the
disk.
DEL (ERASE)(Internal)
DEL (ERASE) [d:][path]filename [/P]
Deletes (erases) files from disk.
DELOLDOS(External)
DELOLDOS [/B]
Deletes all files from previous versions of DOS after a 5.0
or 6.0 installation.
DELTREE(External)
DELTREE [/Y] [d:]path [d:]path[...]
Deletes (erases) a directory including all files and subdirectories
that are in it.
DEVICE(Internal)
DEVICE=(driver name)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to tell DOS which device driver
to load.
DEVICEHIGH(Internal)
DEVICEHIGH=(driver name)
Like DEVICE, DEVICEHIGH is used in the CONFIG.SYS file to
tell DOS which device driver software to use for devices; however, this option
is used to install the device driver into the upper memory area.
DIR(Internal)
DIR [d:][path][filename] [/A:(attributes)] [/O:(order)]
[/B][/C][/CH][/L][/S][/P][/W]
Displays directory of files and directories stored on disk.
DISKCOMP(External)
DISKCOMP [d:] [d:][/1][/8]
Compares the contents of two diskettes.
DISKCOPY(External)
DISKCOPY [d:] [d:][/1][/V][/M]
Makes an exact copy of a diskette.
DOS(Internal)
DOS=[high|low],[umb|noumb]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the memory location
for DOS. It is used to load DOS into the upper memory area and to specify
whether or not the upper memory blocks will be used.
DOSKEY(External)
DOSKEY [reinstall]
[/bufsize=size][/macros][/history][/insert|/overstrike] [macroname=[text]]
Loads the Doskey program into memory which can be used to
recall DOS commands so that you can edit them.
DOSSHELL(External)
DOSSHELL [/B] [/G:[resolution][n]]|[/T:[resolution][n]]
Initiates the graphic shell program using the specified
screen resolution.
DRIVPARM(Internal)
DRIVPARM= /D:(number) [/C] [/F:(form factor)] [/H:(number)]
[/I][ /N][/S:(number)] [/T:(tracks)]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set parameters for a disk
drive.
ECHO(Internal)
ECHO on|off
ECHO (message)
Displays messages or turns on or off the display of commands
in a batch file.
EDIT(External)
EDIT [d:][path]filename [/B][/G][/H][/NOHI]
Starts the MS-DOS editor, a text editor used to create and
edit ASCII text files.
EMM386(External)
EMM386 [on|off|auto] [w=on|off]
Enables or disables EMM386 expanded-memory support on a
computer with an 80386 or higher processor.
EXE2BIN(External)
EXE2BIN [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename
Converts .EXE (executable) files to binary format.
EXIT(Internal)
EXIT
Exits a secondary command processor.
EXPAND(External)
EXPAND [d:][path]filename [[d:][path]filename[ . . .]]
Expands a compressed file.
FASTHELP(External)
FASTHELP [command][command] /?
Displays a list of DOS commands with a brief explanation of
each.
FASTOPEN(External)
FASTOPEN d:[=n][/X]
Keeps track of the locations of files for fast access.
FC(External)
FC [/A][/C][/L][/Lb n][/N][/T][/W][number]
[d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename
or (for binary comparisons)
FC [/B][/number] [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename
Displays the differences between two files or sets of files.
FCBS(Internal)
FCBS=(number)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the number of
file-control blocks for file sharing.
FDISK(External)
FDISK [/status]
Prepares a fixed disk to accept DOS files for storage.
FILES(Internal)
FILES=(number)
Used in the CONFIG.Sys file to specify the maximum number of
files that can be open at the same time.
FIND(External)
FIND [/V][/C][/I][/N] ÒstringÓ [d:][path]filename[...]
Finds and reports the location of a specific string of text
characters in one or more files.
FOR(Internal)
FOR %%(variable) IN (set) DO (command)
or (for interactive processing)
FOR %(variable) IN (set) DO (command)
Performs repeated execution of commands (for both batch
processing and interactive processing).
FORMAT(External)
FORMAT d:[/1][/4][/8][/F:(size)] [/N:(sectors)]
[/T:(tracks)][/B|/S][/C][/V:(label)] [/Q][/U][/V]
Formats a disk to accept DOS files.
GOTO(Internal)
GOTO (label)
Causes unconditional branch to the specified label.
GRAFTABL(External)
GRAFTABL [(code page)]
GRAFTABL [status]
Loads a table of character data into memory (for use with a
color/graphics adapter).
GRAPHICS(External)
GRAPHICS [printer type][profile] [/B][/R][/LCD][/PB:(id)]
[/C][/F][/P(port)]
Provides a way to print contents of a graphics screen
display.
HELP(External)
HELP [command] [/B][/G][/H][/NOHI]
Displays information about a DOS command.
IF(Internal)
IF [NOT] EXIST filename (command) [parameters]
IF [NOT] (string1)==(string2) (command) [parameters]
IF [NOT] ERRORLEVEL (number) (command) [parameters]
Allows for conditional operations in batch processing.
INCLUDE(Internal)
INCLUDE= blockname
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to allow you to use the commands
from one CONFIG.SYS block within another.
INSTALL(Internal)
INSTALL=[d: ][\path]filename [parameters]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to load memory-resident programs
into conventional memory.
INTERLINK(External)
INTERLINK [client[:]=[server][:]]
Connects two computers via parallel or serial ports so that
the computers can share disks and printer ports.
INTERSVR(External)
INTERSVR [d:][...][/X=d:][...] [/LPT:[n|address]]
[/COM:[n|address]][/baud:rate] [/B][/V]
INTERSVR /RCOPY
Starts the Interlink server.
JOIN(External)
JOIN d: [d:path]
JOIN d: [/D]
Allows access to the directory structure and files of a
drive through a directory on a different drive.
KEYB(External)
KEYB [xx][,][yyy][,][d:][path]filename [/E][/ID:(number)]
Loads a program that replaces the support program for U. S.
keyboards.
LABEL(External)
LABEL [d:][volume label]
Creates or changes or deletes a volume label for a disk.
LASTDRIVE(Internal)
LASTDRIVE=(drive letter)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the maximum number of
drives that can be accessed.
LOADFIX(Internal)
LOADFIX [d:][path]filename [parameters]
Ensures that a program is loaded above the first 64K of
conventional memory, and runs the program.
LOADHIGH(Internal)
LOADHIGH (LH) [d:][path]filename [parameters]
Loads memory resident application into reserved area of
memory (between 640K-1M).
MEM(External)
MEM [/program|/debug|/classify|/free|/module(name)] [/page]
Displays amount of installed and available memory, including
extended, expanded, and upper memory.
MEMMAKER(External)
MEMMAKER [/B][/batch][/session][/swap:d]
[/T][/undo][/W:size1,size2]
Starts the MemMaker program, a program that lets you
optimize your computer's memory.
MENUCOLOR(Internal)
MENUCOLOR=textcolor,[background]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the colors that will be
used by DOS to display text on the screen.
MENUDEFAULT(Internal)
MENUDEFAULT=blockname, [timeout]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the startup configuration
that will be used by DOS if no key is pressed within the specified timeout
period.
MENUITEM(Internal)
MENUITEM=blockname, [menutext]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to create a start-up menu from
which you can select a group of CONFIG.SYS commands to be processed upon
reboot.
MIRROR(External)
MIRROR [d:]path [d:] path [...]
MIRROR [d1:][d2:][...] [/T(drive)(files)] [/partn][/U][/1]
Saves disk storage information that can be used to recover
accidentally erased files.
MKDIR(MD) (Internal)
MKDIR (MD) [d:]path
Creates a new subdirectory.
MODE(External)
MODE n
MODE LPT#[:][n][,][m][,][P][retry]
MODE [n],m[,T]
MODE (displaytype,linetotal)
MODE
COMn[:]baud[,][parity][,][databits][,][stopbits][,][retry]
MODE LPT#[:]=COMn [retry]
MODE CON[RATE=(number)][DELAY=(number)]
MODE (device) CODEPAGE PREPARE=(codepage) [d:][path]filename
MODE (device) CODEPAGE PREPARE=(codepage list)
[d:][path]filename
MODE (device) CODEPAGE SELECT=(codepage)
MODE (device) CODEPAGE [/STATUS]
MODE (device) CODEPAGE REFRESH
Sets mode of operation for devices or communications.
MORE(External)
MORE < (filename or command)
(name)|MORE
Sends output to console, one screen at a time.
MOVE(Internal)
MOVE [/Y|/-Y] [d:][path]filename[,[d:][path]filename[...]]
destination
Moves one or more files to the location you specify. Can
also be used to rename directories.
MSAV(External)
MSAV [d:] [/S|/C][/R][/A][/L][/N][/P][/F][/video][/mouse]
MSAV /video
Scans your computer for known viruses.
MSBACKUP(External)
MSBACKUP [setupfile] [/BW|/LCD|/MDA]
Used to backup or restore one or more files from one disk to
another.
MSCDEX(External)
MSCDEX /D:driver [/D:driver2. . .]
[/E][/K][/S][/V][/L:letter] [/M:number]
Used to gain access to CD-ROM drives (new with DOS Version
6).
MSD(External)
MSD [/B][/I]
MSD [/I] [/F[d:][path]filename [/P[d:][path]filename
[/S[d:][path]filename
Provides detailed technical information about your computer.
NLSFUNC(External)
NLSFUNC [d:][path]filename
Used to load a file with country-specific information.
NUMLOCK(Internal)
NUMLOCK=on|off
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the state of the
NumLock key.
PATH(Internal)
PATH;
PATH [d:]path[;][d:]path[...]
Sets or displays directories that will be searched for
programs not in the current directory.
PAUSE(Internal)
PAUSE [comment]
Suspends execution of a batch file until a key is pressed.
POWER(External)
POWER [adv:max|reg|min]|std|off]
Used to turn power management on and off, report the status
of power management, and set levels of power conservation.
PRINT(External)
PRINT [/B:(buffersize)] [/D:(device)] [/M:(maxtick)]
[/Q:(value] [/S:(timeslice)][/U:(busytick)] [/C][/P][/T] [d:][path][filename]
[...]
Queues and prints data files.
PROMPT(Internal)
PROMPT [prompt text] [options]
Changes the DOS command prompt.
RECOVER(External)
RECOVER [d:][path]filename
RECOVER d:
Resolves sector problems on a file or a disk. (Beginning
with DOS Version 6, RECOVER is no longer available ).
REM(Internal)
REM [comment]
Used in batch files and in the CONFIG.SYS file to insert
remarks (that will not be acted on).
RENAME (REN)(Internal)
RENAME (REN) [d:][path]filename [d:][path]filename
Changes the filename under which a file is stored.
REPLACE(External)
REPLACE [d:][path]filename [d:][path]
[/A][/P][/R][/S][/U][/W]
Replaces stored files with files of the same name from a
different storage location.
RESTORE(External)
RESTORE d: [d:][path]filename [/P][/S][/B:mm-dd-yy]
[/A:mm-dd-yy][/E:hh:mm:ss] [/L:hh:mm:ss] [/M][/N][/D]
Restores to standard disk storage format files previously
stored using the BACKUP command.
RMDIR (RD)(Internal)
RMDIR (RD) [d:]path
Removes a subdirectory.
SCANDISK(External)
SCANDISK [d: [d: . .
.]|/all][/checkonly|/autofix[/nosave]|/custom][/surface][/mono][/nosummay]
SCANDISK
volume-name[/checkonly|/autofix[/nosave]|/custom][/mono][/nosummary]
SCANDISK /fragment [d:][path]filename
SCANDISK /undo [undo-d:][/mono]
Starts the Microsoft ScanDisk program which is a disk
analysis and repair tool used to check a drive for errors and correct any
problems that it finds.
SELECT(External)
SELECT [d:] [d:][path] [country code][keyboard code]
Formats a disk and installs country-specific information and
keyboard codes (starting with DOS Version 6, this command is no longer
available).
SET(Internal)
SET (string1)=(string2)
Inserts strings into the command environment. The set values
can be used later by programs.
SETVER(External)
SETVER [d:]:path][filename (number)][/delete][/quiet]
Displays the version table and sets the version of DOS that
is reported to programs.
SHARE(External)
SHARE [/F:space] [/L:locks]
Installs support for file sharing and file locking.
SHELL(Internal)
SHELL=[d:][path]filename [parameters]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to specify the command
interpreter that DOS should use.
SHIFT(Internal)
SHIFT
Increases number of replaceable parameters to more than the
standard ten for use in batch files.
SORT(External)
SORT [/R][/+n] < (filename)
SORT [/R][/+n] > (filename2)
Sorts input and sends it to the screen or to a file.
STACKS(Internal)
STACKS=(number),(size)
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to set the number of stack
frames and the size of each stack frame.
SUBMENU(Internal)
SUBMENU=blockname, [menutext]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to create a multilevel menu from
which you can select start-up options.
SUBST(External)
SUBST d: d:path
SUBST d: /D
Substitutes a virtual drive letter for a path designation.
SWITCHES(Internal)
SWITCHES= [/K][/F][/N][/W]
Used in the CONFIG.SYS file to configure DOS in a special
way; for example, to tell DOS to emulate different hardware configurations.
SYS(External)
SYS [source] d:
Transfers the operating system files to another disk.
TIME(Internal)
TIME hh:mm[:ss][.cc][A|P]
Displays current time setting of system clock and provides a
way for you to reset the time.
TREE(External)
TREE [d:][path] [/A][/F]
Displays directory paths and (optionally) files in each
subdirectory.
TYPE(Internal)
TYPE [d:][path]filename
Displays the contents of a file.
UNDELETE(External)
UNDELETE [d:][path][filename] [/DT|/DS|/DOS]
UNDELETE
[/list|/all|/purge[d:]|/status|/load|/U|/S[d:]|/Td:[-entries]]
Restores files deleted with the DELETE command.
UNFORMAT(External)
UNFORMAT d: [/J][/L][/test][/partn][/P][/U]
Used to undo the effects of formatting a disk.
VER(Internal)
VER
Displays the DOS version number.
VERIFY(Internal)
VERIFY on|off
Turns on the verify mode; the program checks all copying
operations to assure that files are copied correctly.
VOL(Internal)
VOL [d:]
Displays a disk's volume label.
VSAFE(External)
VSAFE [/option[+|-]...] [/NE][/NX][Ax|/Cx] [/N][/D][/U]
VSAFE is a memory-resident program that continuously
monitors your computer for viruses and displays a warning when it finds one.
XCOPY(External)
XCOPY [d:][path]filename [d:][path][filename]
[/A][/D:(date)] [/E][/M][/P][/S][/V][/W][Y\-Y]
Copies directories, subdirectories, and files.
